By Michael Mandigo, Staff Writer
With the rise of radio’s next generation of talent, Susquehanna’s own Carly Rogers has been selected for the Benztown Mentorship Program to train in the national radio talent system.
Rogers is the first mentee to be chosen for the program, as the program was just recently implemented by the partnership between Benztown, a radio company, and The National Radio Talent System.
The first mentor chosen for the program is Jack Diamond who will personally be mentoring Rogers. Jack Diamond is the host of the Jack Diamond Morning Show, a radio show which is based out of Washington D.C.
He will be mentoring Rogers through a teleconference and in the WRQX studios during January, February and March, according to the Benztown website.
On the Benztown website Diamond said that he is honored and pleased to be a part of the program, and that “working with and developing talent has long been a passion.”
“It’s a way for all of us to support and improve our amazing industry. It’s also [a] great way to thank those who were there for us in the beginning and helped us along our journey,” Diamond continued.
Rogers herself commented on the opportunity to be mentored by a known name in the communications industry.
“He is so compassionate about what he does for a living and he makes it seem like he never truly is going to work. He loves his job, so it is something he looks forward to everyday,” Rogers said.
“I am excited for him to teach me how to be a professional in the broadcasting world and how to work behind the scenes and be the voice that you hear on air as well,” Rogers continued.
“Jack is one of the most respected jockeys in the industry and to be able to learn from someone with so much experience under their belt is just an even better opportunity for me to learn,” she said.
Rogers shared her reasons for going into her field:
“I chose to go into broadcasting and radio because I am a huge fan of any type of music. I have always loved listening to the radio and the songs that were being played and singing along.” Rogers said.
“But, the music wasn’t my favorite part,” Rogers continued, “I loved hearing the on air talents talk every day and tell stories and make personal connections with the listeners and knew right away I wanted to be able to make an impact.”
Rogers was also able to gain broadcasting experience when she participated in the Confer Radio Talent Institute in the summer of 2018 at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
Dawn Benfer, general manager of Susquehanna’s radio station WQSU, commented on Rogers’ passion for radio: “This is really what Carly wants to do and this program is really going to help her on her way to achieving this,” Benfer said.
“She has a passion for the broadcasting field. [Being the] first mentee speaks volumes and the potential she has to succeed in the broadcasting world,” Benfer continued.
Rogers shared her feelings about the opportunity to be a part of the growing communications field:
“The communications industry is so small that everyone knows one another in some way or has a connection with someone in a way. This is my ‘in’ into the industry.”
The Benztown Mentorship Program will continue every semester to connect established radio professionals with promising students to further their careers in the industry.
